Discussion
I had an interesting conversation about this recently with one of the Lotus engineers up at Hethel. The short answer is yes.
Not so much for the engine itself, but for all the other components in the car -the first 1000 miles gives you chance to run in the gearbox for example, if it's a cable operated one (don't know if the Atom is??), plus it allows all other moving parts to bed in. A checkover after that gives you chance to torque all the necesary nuts and bolts, and just check all bits are as they should be before you give it some beans.
Another interesting thing he mentioned is that this running in period also gives you chance to learn the car and its characteristics before you go too fast. I think this was relevant to owners new to the characteristics of this type of car, and if you are used to track type, rwd cars it might not be so important, but it was a good general point I thought.
Not so much for the engine itself, but for all the other components in the car -the first 1000 miles gives you chance to run in the gearbox for example, if it's a cable operated one (don't know if the Atom is??), plus it allows all other moving parts to bed in. A checkover after that gives you chance to torque all the necesary nuts and bolts, and just check all bits are as they should be before you give it some beans.
Another interesting thing he mentioned is that this running in period also gives you chance to learn the car and its characteristics before you go too fast. I think this was relevant to owners new to the characteristics of this type of car, and if you are used to track type, rwd cars it might not be so important, but it was a good general point I thought.
Edited by Stephanie Plum on Tuesday 7th August 10:30
ThatPhilBrettGuy said:
Thinking of a change Steve? The 300 is bonkers fast. Only issue I found is with the aero....or lack of it, at high speed the wind tries to pull your crashhat off your head unless you hold your head on your chin.
Oh, and if the car in front runs over, say a rabbit, it can get messy
Not for me chap, mate of mine has decided to go in at the (VERY, VERY) deep end with his indoctrination to trackdays and I'm nominated helper Oh, and if the car in front runs over, say a rabbit, it can get messy
Should be fun trackdemon said:
Do new Atom's need to be run in before taking to the track? Referring specifically to the Atom 300
benyeats said:
PHer Atom120 ran his 300 in mainly by driving it round Cadwell park as fast as it would go, seems to be fine so far.
Yeah, running in's for girls. Its a Honda engine. Drop it straight on the track and enjoy.
I take Jo's point about keeping an eye on other components - they're pretty well screwed together, but as with anything, bits can come loose. Either take it back to the factory for a 500-mile service, or give it a thorough spanner check yourself.
Atom120 said:
trackdemon said:
Do new Atom's need to be run in before taking to the track? Referring specifically to the Atom 300
benyeats said:
PHer Atom120 ran his 300 in mainly by driving it round Cadwell park as fast as it would go, seems to be fine so far.
Yeah, running in's for girls. Its a Honda engine. Drop it straight on the track and enjoy.
I take Jo's point about keeping an eye on other components - they're pretty well screwed together, but as with anything, bits can come loose. Either take it back to the factory for a 500-mile service, or give it a thorough spanner check yourself.
John Lloyd said:
Atom120 said:
trackdemon said:
Do new Atom's need to be run in before taking to the track? Referring specifically to the Atom 300
benyeats said:
PHer Atom120 ran his 300 in mainly by driving it round Cadwell park as fast as it would go, seems to be fine so far.
Yeah, running in's for girls. Its a Honda engine. Drop it straight on the track and enjoy.
I take Jo's point about keeping an eye on other components - they're pretty well screwed together, but as with anything, bits can come loose. Either take it back to the factory for a 500-mile service, or give it a thorough spanner check yourself.
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